SC: I think what you say about the talent being raked over the coals by journalists, always being subjected to journalists looking for scoops or whatever it is, is interesting because the film is not just another thing about Star Trek that we've seen a hundred times before. You're really delving into a new area -- things about these actors who we've all watched for so many years, but we never knew about prior to the approach you take.

WS: That's exactly right, and thank you. That was a very observant remark because that's exactly what my feeling was. When I was speaking to them, I knew that -- I knew Patrick [Stewart] all right. He was a nice acquaintance. The others, I barely knew. I now think of them as friends of mine because we touched each other in that we were together.

Kirk on Kirk action.

SC: And you do have this special bond. There are only five or six of you who have had this experience on the whole planet. Now, as far as the whole world of Star Trek and the whole Trekkie experience, you have a guy like me who grew up watching you and the other guys as a "Trekkie," for lack of a better term. There's a certain fanaticism that comes with that. Obviously, for you, it was a job first and foremost, this thing you did. But I'm wondering, what in your life would equate to that Trekkie fanaticism?

WS: Horses. But I want you to also understand, Scott, that I did another documentary called Fanatics in which I examine why people go to conventions. In other words, what makes a Trekkie. And I've achieved some interesting insights that are part of this documentary that will be available in about six or eight months. One of the insights has to do with myth and mythology and its fulfillment in Star Trek. It gets very deep, and as against being a nerd or a fanatic. What you are is a participant into a cultural myth. It's very honest, and it's very passionate. It's a direct descendant of the mythology that each culture has starting beyond the Greeks.

SC: It's interesting because I have a three year old son, and I'm trying to turn him on to things that I grew up with like Star Trek and Superman -- things like that. But I'm also trying to make him aware of the Greek mythology and the such.

WS: It's a beautiful -- what this professor who gave me the interview was using was Star Trek and using it as a mythology. And you should do the same with your son. The actors, the captains become the heroes. The people participating in the ritual of going to a convention, wearing those uniforms, and participating in the wafer and the drinking of the wine to the blood is the autograph. You can liken this whole thing into a whole skein of mythology that is Star Trek and the mythology of today. That's the basis of the insight of the fanatics.

SC: That's amazing.

WS: I wanted to mention two other things before we leave, and that is a book of mine called Shatner Rules is debuting. That's an autobiography that's full of amusing anecdotes, but also makes some philosophical points. A week later an album with 20 of the best musicians in the world comes out called Seeking Major Tom. And on October 19th, I start a one-man show across Canada.

Jim and Ben meet again.

SC: The filmmaking that's sort of investigative documentary journalism that you did with this film and you'll be doing with the next, do you see a third film coming from this?

WS: Oh, yeah. I need to find the right idea. I need to find something that consumes me, and a lot of things consume me. But I've got to find a way of devoting the limited time I have -- in terms of days but also the limited time I have alive -- to doing something meaningful, at least to me. So, I've got to be careful.

SC: Obviously, retirement's not an option for you. Does the work just come down to what you want to do now as opposed to what you should do because of career choices?

WS: Oh, it's what I want to do. Some things are paying very well that maybe I wouldn't do under other circumstances, but it's a shame not to leave something more for my kids, you know? But for the most part, it's what I want to do.

SC: I have to ask you a geeky question to finish it out. Will you play Kirk again? Is there a possibility for that?

WS: If J.J. [Abrams] were to ask me, I would certainly consider it. It's a great role, and they were writing it so beautifully as the aging Kirk. The stages that human beings go through as they age -- it seems to be a great interest in tackling Star Trek. I don't know how he'd allow for the 45 years that have gone on since I was there, but, you know, that's science fiction.

SC: Yeah. It always was such a huge part of the character in the films especially, this notion of getting old and losing friends and everything.

WS: Losing strength and questioning your abilities. Those are very human emotions and conditions.